Tension has again gripped the western UP city of Bareilly, which witnessed riots last week that left hundreds of shops gutted and scores injured. After a brief respite, the city has been under curfew again for the last four days. Things almost reached a flashpoint on Wednesday night when an estimated 10,000-1,5000 strong crowd gathered in the heart of the city. They had come to listen to a speech by Sunni cleric Subhan Raza Khan (popularly known as Subhani Miyan), the head of the famous Ala Hazrat dargah (also known as Khankahe Niyaziya mosque). People from many localities in old city were implored via loudspeakers to come out on the streets and protest against the detention of local Muslim leader Tauqir Raza Khan. Tauqir, son-in-law of Subhani Miyan and national president of the powerful Muslim organization Itihad-e-Millat Council (IMC) was arrested from IMC office by police on March 8 in connection with the rioting. A curfew has been on many areas of the city since then. Many sections of the IPC such as inciting people and plotting riots were slapped on him. According to reports in the local media, Khan had been booked in the past too under various sections of the IPC, including anti-national activities, but this could not be confirmed. He is considered a prominent leader with big following. Police has been hunting for one of his associates known as Dr Nafees for inciting people; he has gone underground. In a damage-control exercise on Wednesday, chief minister Mayawati changed the local administration top brass, including the district magistrate, the DIG and the SSP. The DM, Ashish Kumar Goyal, was sent packing and additional charge was given to the Pilibhit DM, Anil Garg. DIG-cum-SSP MK Bashal too was removed on Thursday. DIG Anti-Terror Squad Allahabad zone Rajib Sabbarwal has been given additional charge in his place. Sources said the commissioner, Majid Ali, too is likely to be replaced, but no formal announcement has been made yet. Mayawati had also rushed the chief secretary (home), Kunwar Fateh Bahadur Singh, and the DGP, Karamvir Singh, to the city on Wednesday, the second time within a week. Despite this, things reached a flashpoint on Wednesday night when a large number of members of one community came out on the streets. They were demanding unconditional and immediate release of Tauqir Raza Khan. They alleged their leader was being unnecessarily persecuted by Mayawati. Once they started shouting religious slogans over loudspeakers, members of the other community also came out in large numbers on the other side of the two streets. The city narrowly missed a major riotous situation after the entire police and local administration reasoned with them. In another related development, the Bareilly Bar Association president, Ghanshyam Sharma, and his associates appeared in the court on Thursday to plead for bail to Tauqir Raza Khan. A large crowd of other advocates protested against their move and the court had to be adjourned amid heavy slogan shouting. The bail plea, which could not be heard, has now been scheduled for Friday. But lawyers of the city have now called for a strike strike and said they would oppose his release tooth and nail. They have also sent a signed memorandum to Mayawati, demanding that NSA be slapped on Tauqir Raza Khan. Friday could well be Bareilly’s litmus test. Friday, or the Juma day, is an important day of prayers for one community, and they have been implored by their leaders to come out and pray on the streets in big numbers. A high-profile Ram Barat (marriage procession of Lord Ram) too is scheduled to pass through the city streets as a precursor to Ram Navami celebrations. Tension has been simmering in the city since communal riots took place on March 2 following clashes over a religious procession. Curfew was clamped in major parts of the city after these clashes left several injured and hundreds of houses and shops set afire. Police has arrested 266 people in connection with the violence. After reports and pictures of Wednesday’s buildup appeared in the local media on Thursday, the city administration swung into action and also sealed the city’s borders. The curfew in parts of the city which was relaxed on Thursday, was also reimposed after two hours following reports that members of one community were being brought in large numbers in trucks and tractor trollies from the neighbouring townships.
Read More......
Question
In your openion who is responsible for Riots in Bareily???
1. Muslims
2. Hindus
3. State Administration
Great Job Miss sadia,
ReplyDeleteBeing Indian, I don’t have so much knowledge about Riots, How you get this information.
I appreciate your views, ideas and dedication.
Thank you Rashid for your appreciation.information sources are mentioned along with articles
ReplyDelete